Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick can have their application expedited. [20109/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for asylum on 11 February 2005. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 7 March 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Due to the high volume of cases on hand, it is not possible to expedite the case of the person concerned. However, a commitment has been given to have his case finalised by 29 April 2011 at the latest with every effort being made to have it finalised in advance of that date.